Effects of norepinephrine depletion in rats during cerebral post-ischemic reperfusion

The present paper reports the effects of norepinephrine depletion in rats, after treatment with N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-ethyl 2-bromobenzylamine (DSP-4) neurotoxin, on partial cerebral ischemia and reperfusion. Histological observations made under experimental conditions of noradrenergic (NA)-depletion demonstrated that neuronal lesions were not exacerbated; in fact, in DSP-4-treated ischemic animals, a minor number of neurons appeared damaged. Our results suggest that neuronal recovery after post-ischemic reperfusion is not affected by NA-depletion. DSP-4 neurotoxin does not induce 5-hydroxy-triptamine (5-HT) depletion.